Merchandise package and display



F. .1. ADDIS ET m.

MERCHANDISE PACKAGE AND DISPLAY Filed April 10, 1959 Mm w u& J w mg I N v m I V QQ m. H m m A A Q B UQ k w Q Q b b QQ WT in. V v r y. W 1 z W Pg TM Y a W. M M .w\ W a m mg QM R w\ I NT m S Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to packages or containers used for the packing and shipment, as well as the display of articles of merchandise, and particularly to two similar strips of merchandise,

each comprising a series of spaced candle holders with candles arranged therein; and the object of the invention is to provide a, package or container comprising an elongated box open at the top for receiving at each longitudinal side portion of the box said article strips with the candles thereof arranged in opposed intermeshing relationship, and equal spacing longitudinally of the box for supporting the candles in horizontal position and also for providing reinforcing means coopcrating with the candle holder bodies to retain the complete packed package or container against crushing transverselyof the box in the shipment and handling thereof; a further object being to provide a package or container'of the character described employing a transparent sheet over the open upper portion of the box to form a closure for said box to protect the candles and candle holders against the collection of dust and dirt thereon, while at the same time supporting said articles against displacement and rendering the same visible in the display of the merchandise;

and with these and other objects in View, the in vention consists in a package or container con-.- structed} as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of our improvement are designated by suitablereference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a container showing part of the merchandise in complete form or contour and diagrammatically outlining the remainder of said articles.

Fig. 2 is a section'on the line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the package in a normal position; and, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the arrangement of the parts when the package is subjected to transverse crushing strains.

In the merchandising of candle holders and a large number of coupled candle holders and 55 candles may be .sold'in a neat, attractive and candles such as commonly used in the decoration sanitary package at a. low retail selling price. At the same time, a package isprovided, which in addition to attractively displaying the complete merchandise,- also provides a well reinforced package which will compensate for rough han 5 dling thereof in shipment or transportation, and prevent breakage or destruction to the several unitary candle holders and candles.

The economical constructionjof the product herein shown is made possible through the teach- 10 ings in the method as defined in a companion application filed of equal date herewith on Confecticn candle holders and the method of constructing the same, from which it will appear that grouped formation of candle holders, as Well as 1 grouped assemblage of candles in the holders is made possible, thus simplifying the production of the merchandise supporting strips hereinafter described. Inthe accompanying drawing, 5 representsan elongated box having a bottom wall 51]., side walls 51), end walls 50, and open at the top-throughout the length thereof, Arranged in the box is an article supporting and reinforcing .member 6 comprising a top wall 1, depending side Walls 8, 25 which normally flare outwardly to a slight extent, and laterally extending flanges 9 arranged upon the bottom wall of the container 5a. and extending in the direction of the side walls 51) thereof. At 10,, Illa, are shown two similar merchandise 30 supporting strips, members, or .parts, and as these parts are of identical construction, the brief description of one will apply to the other. It will be understood that one strip I0 is arranged longitudinally of the innersurface of one side, wall 5b, 35 and the other strip Illa is arranged longitudinally of the inner surface of the other side wall. Both of these strips are of a width equal ,to the height of the walls 5b with respect to the upper surface of the bottom wall'5a; so that the upper edges'ol the strips Ill, lila will lie flush with the upper edges of the side Walls vas will appear in Fig. 2

.of the. drawing. Thus when a transparent Cellophane, or other strip H is arranged over the upper open end of the box, and down alongthe sides and bottom of the'box and secured together as at Ha, atransparent closure will be provided which will hold the strips l0, [0a against dis-. placement from the container. In this connection, it will be understood that other means may also be provided for this purpose, for example by applying a little glue or other adhesive :between the strips l0, Illa, and the sides 51) of the container at longitudinally spaced intervals.

Arranged upon and secured to the surface of 55 the strip I0, Illa are a series of longitudinally arranged and equally spaced candle holder bodies I2 composed of edible sugar confection, each body comprising a base portion I3, preferably of one colored confection, and a portion I4 of another colored confection; the latter having an aperture I5 therein snugly receiving one end of the candle I6 to be supported in the holder.

The transverse dimensions of the container 5 are such as to freely receive the candles when arranged in the holders of each strip so that the tip ends I6a of the candles will be arranged in spaced relation to the adjacent side wall 5b of the container; whereas conical projections I 4a, on the part I4 of the holder I2 will be spaced slightly from the ends of the top wall I of the supporting and reinforcing member 6 as noted in Fig. 2 of the drawing. It will thus be seen that when the container is subjected to a transverse crushing strain, as noted in Fig. 3, the conical projections I4a of the body I4 will engage the side walls 8 to move the same into perpendicular position, thus applying the strain directly upon the transverse top wall 1, and relieving the strain upon the candle I6. While the side walls 527 may actually engage the tip ends Ilia of the candles and depress the same slightly, the strain directly upon the candle is relieved through the reinforcing wall I. In the normal position of the assemblage as seen in Fig. 2, the walls 8 will retain the parts against shifting, especially if the strips I0, III-a are not directly secured to the side walls 519. I

It will also be apparent that the candles I6 of one strip ID are intermeshed or arranged alternately with those of the other strip Illa, and the tip ends I611 of the candles are disposed between the candle holders I2 of the opposed strip as clearly seen in Fig. 1. This maintains an even and balanced alinement of the candles and holders longitudinally of the container. One end of each ofthe strips I0, Ifla will be supported in engagement with one end wall 50 of the container. To avoid difficulty in assemblage of the separate strips in the containers, both ends are maintained at the same length, but if desired, these strips may be formed longer at one end and simply reversed in their mounting in the container. However, we have not found this to be necessary and therefore the more simple showing is illustrated.

However, as above stated, if one or more small applications of adhesive are applied to the strips I0, Illa, they may be retained against longitudinal shifting as well as vertical shifting with respect to the side walls I51). It is preferred that a limited amount of adhesive be used so as to facilitate removal of the strips from the container when it is desired to use the candles. By severing the separate candle holders one from the other, they may be used independently and the cardboard or other strips I0, Illa, may be of such material as to form base supports for the candle holders when used as ornaments or table decorations. Onthe other hand, when used as cake decorations, the strips I0, Illa are moistened, which will free the sugar confection candle holders I2 from the strip to facilitate placem'ent on a cake. At this point, it is well to call attention to the fact that when the candles have been burned sufficiently, the same may be removed from the holders and the remaining candle holders may be consumed with the cake by in the construction thereof.

base I3.

In other words, no metal, paper, wood, or other candle holding elements are arranged within or form part of the holders I2, as is quite common in the usual construction of candle holders of this type.

It will of course be apparent that merchandise packages and displays of the character under consideration can be made up of various numbers of candle holders and candles, and this is especially true in the construction of similar packages having a lesser numberof candle holders and candles than those shown in Fig. 1. It will also be apparent that the relative sizes of the candles and candle holders may be varied to adapt the package to different grades and styles of merchandise of the type and kind under consideration.

In using contrasting colors in the base I2 and body I4 of the holders, very attractive appearances will be provided on the resulting devices, and the candles used may. be of a color in harmony with one of the colors employed in the bodies I3, I4, or may be of a color contrasting thereto. An example of the last illustration would be to employ red candles mounted in a white body I4, the latter arranged upon a blue However, in more conventional uses, the pink, white, green, and yellow shades are more commonly used for cake decoration purposes. Combinations of the various holiday or memorial seasons may also be used. This is especially true in the production of table favors and decorations. At this time it will be apparent that the contour of the candle holder bodies I2 may be varied toproduce different ornamental eifeots, and of course, the dimensions and contour of the container as well as the supporting and reinforcing member 6 will be modified to suit differences in the structure of the candle holders.

The supporting and reinforcing member 6 may also be properly described as a spacing member which forms at the longitudinal side portions of the container, longitudinal channels for the reception of part of the merchandise, namely, the candle holders I2; whereas the upper wall I forms a longitudinal table or platform upon which the candles rest in a horizontal position.

Having fully described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination with elongated merchandise strips having candles and candle holders secured to and supported upon one surface of the strips at equal longitudinally spaced intervals, of a packing and display container fora pair of said strips comprising an elongated receptacle having a bottom, side and end walls, with the top of said receptacle open, said strips being arranged upon inner surfaces of the side walls of the receptacle within the vertical boundaries thereof with the candle holders and candles protruding from the inner surfaces of said strips into the receptacle in a horizontal position transversing said receptacle, the candles of one strip being disposed intermediate the candles of the other strip, and means within the receptacle supporting the candles in horizontal position and retaining the candle holders against appreciable transverse movement in said receptacle.

2. In combination with elongated merchandise strips having candles and candle holders secured to and supported upon one surface of the strips at equal longitudinally spaced intervals, of a packing and display container for a pair of said strips comprising an elongated receptacle having a bottom, side and end walls, with the top of said receptacle open, said strips being, arranged upon inner surfaces of the'side walls'of the receptacle within the vertical boundaries thereof with the candle holders and candles protruding from the inner surfaces of said strips into the-receptacle in a horizontal position transversing said receptacle, the candles of one strip being disposed intermediate the candles of the other strip, means within the receptacle supporting the-candles in horizontal position and retaining. the candle holders against appreciable transverse movement in said receptacle, said last named means comprising a longitudinally arranged bridging and reinforcing member reinforcing the receptacle against transverse crushing strain.

3. In combination with elongated merchandise strips having candles and candle holders secured to and supported upon one surface of the strips at equal longitudinally spaced intervals, of a packing and display container for a pair of said strips comprising an elongated receptacle having a bottom, side and end walls, with the top of said receptacle open, said strips being arranged upon inner surfaces of the side walls of the receptacle against transverse crushing strain, and a transparent sleeve enveloping the receptacle and forming a closure for the open top of the receptacle.

4. A candle and candle holder shipping and display package of the class described, comprising an elongated narrow open container having bottom, side and end walls, a thin merchandise supporting strip arranged longitudinally and flatly upon the inner surface of each opposed side wall of the container, a plurality of candle holders secured to the inner exposed surfaces of the strips at longitudinally spaced intervals, the holders on one strip being in staggered relationship to the holders of the opposed strip, candles supported in the holders and protruding from the inner opposed surfaces thereof to extend transversely of said container with the free tip ends of the candles supported on the holders of one strip arranged intermediate the candle holders of an opposed strip, and means supported upon and extending above the bottom wall of the container for supporting each of the candles in horizontal position throughout substantially the length thereof which is disposed between opposed holders and with the candles in alinement with the supports in said holders.

5. A candle and candle holder shipping and display package of the class described, comprising an elongated narrow open container having bottom, side and end walls, a thin merchandise supporting strip arranged longitudinally and flatly upon the inner surface of each opposed side wall of the container, a plurality of candle holders secured to the inner exposed surfaces of the strips at longitudinally spaced intervals, the holders on one strip being in staggered relationship to the holders of the opposed strip, candles supported in the holders and protruding from the inner opposed surfaces thereof to extend transversely of said container with the free tip ends of the candles supported on the holders of one strip arra'hged intermediate the candle holders of an opposed strip, means supported upon and extending above-the bottom wall of the container for supporting each of the candles in horizontal position throughout substantially the length thereof which is disposed between opposed holders and with the candles in alinement with the supports in said holders, said last named means comprising a yoke-shaped reinforcement extending the full length" of the container having a wide top wall-upon which-the candles rest, and depending posed surfaces of the candle holders to support said holders and candles against movement transversely of the container.

6. A candle and candle holder shipping and display package of'the class described, comprising an elongated narrow open container having bottom, side and end walls, a thin merchandise supporting strip arranged longitudinally and flatly upon the inner surface of each opposed side wall 'of the container, a plurality of candle holders secured to the inner exposed surfaces of the strips at longitudinally spaced intervals, the holders on one strip being in staggered relationship to the holders of the opposed strip, candles supported in the holders and protruding from the inner 0pposed surfaces thereof to extend transversely of said container with the free tip ends of the candles supported on the holders of one strip arranged intermediate the candle holders of an opposed strip, means supported upon and extending above the bottom wall of the container for supporting each of the candles in horizontal position throughout substantially the length thereof which is disposed between opposed holders and with the candles in alinement with the supports in said holders, said last named means comprising a yoke-shaped reinforcement extending the full length of the container having a Wide top wall upon which the candles rest, and depending side walls having laterally extending fiange portions, the side Walls of said reinforcement being arranged in close proximity to inner opposed surfaces of the candle holders to support said holders and candles against movement transversely of the container, and means for holding said strips including the candles and candle holders thereon against displacement through the open top of the container.

7; A shipping and display container of the class described comprising an elongated box having bottom, side and end walls, and being open at the top, means arranged longitudinally of the box and upon the upper surface of the bottom wall thereof forming within the box and in conjunction with said side walls two elongated nar-- row channels longitudinally of the side walls and an intermediate raised table portion extending throughout the length of the box and arranged inwardly of the upper end of the box, each of said channels being adapted to receive a plurality of articles .of merchandise spaced longitudinally thereof, the articles including stem portions transversing the box and supported upon said table portion.

8. A shipping and display container of the class described comprising an elongated box having bottom, side and end Walls, and being open at the top, means arranged longitudinally of the box and upon the upper surface of the bottom Wall thereof forming within the box and in conjunction With said'side walls two elongated narrow channels longitudinally of the side Walls and an intermediate raised table portion extending throughout the length of the box and arranged inwardly of the upper end of the box, each of said channels being adapted to receive a plurality of articles of merchandise spaced longitudinally thereof, the articles including stem .portions transversing the box and supported upon said table portion, and said means comprising an elongatedstrip yoke-shaped in cross sectional form and having side flange portions resting upon the bottom wall of the box.

7 9. A shipping and display container of the class' wall thereof forming within the box and in conjunction with said-side walls two elongated narrow" channels longitudinally of the side Walls and anintermediate raised table portion extendin'g throughout vthe length of the box and arranged-inwardly of the upper end of the box, each of said channels being adapted to receive a plurality'of-articles of merchandise spaced longitudinally thereof, the articles including stem portions transversing the box and supported upon said table portion, said means comprising an elongated strip yoke-shaped in cross sectional form and having side flange portions resting upon the bottom wall of the box, and elongated strips arranged .upon inner surfaces of the side Walls of the boX forming means for supporting and spacing the articles of merchandise longitudinally of said channels.

FRANK J. ADDIS. PAUL P. ADDIS. 

